Giving back to our community

The Cheyenne Firefighters IAFF Local 279 has an established 501(c)3 Charitable Foundation account. Each year, members seek donations and fundraising opportunities, making community giving a great success. You can donate to any of them, at any time now:

GENERAL CHARITIES FUND

CHRISTMAS TREE FUND

9/11 MEMORIAL FUND

BENEVOLENT FUND

BURNOUT FUND

Some time around 2001, the Cheyenne Firefighters' union was gifted $10,000 of Sears stock. The Burnout Committee was formed so that this donation could be invested, and gifted back into our community during someone's time of loss due to fire. This donation was invested into a Putnam Fund and grew to nearly $30,000 over two decades. Fundraisers and donations allow for it's continued growth and use within our community.

Since 1954, the IAFF has partnered with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), as its charity of choice. More than 65 years later, IAFF Local 279 -The Cheyenne Firefighters- continues strong efforts in collecting donations each year. Traditionally centered around the Labor Day Weekend, several events occur here in Cheyenne to help this great cause.

In 1990, a group of Cheyenne Firefighters decided to purchase Christmas trees to sell to our community. Sales occur behind Station 5 on Dell Range Blvd by our off-duty members and their families. Those proceeds have been donated back into that very community through our local Salvation Army, Safe House program, and the Youth Alternatives program. 

This is one of our newest, but incredibly successful, charitable events has helped bring some Christmas joy for our community's children. Since 2017, in conjunction with our school district advocate to determine recipients, our very own community and their donations, WYDOT for providing bicycle helmets, and local retailers, typically 150 children receive the opportunity to have their very own bicycle! 

Established in 2013, the Cheyenne Firefighters Benevolent Fund was created in order to have funds available to our members during a time of hardship. This foundation is independent of other fundraising that Local 279 does, and also has contributions from our members every month. Sometimes donors are deliberate in seeking to help us, reciprocating the efforts that we put forth to our community- and this is a great way to help your firefighters.